1 hour in!

Nice work Russ - keeping the memory strong seems to help in keeping the gambling urge away, glad to hear you feeling strong.

Stay strong

much love

b

xx

Day 17&18

Went out yesterday and watched Cheltenham in a pub with some mates. Although everyone in the pub was gambling I was never even tempted. Felt really good at the end of the day as I thought that if I was going to slip up, it would likely be when I'd had a drink.

£20 added to the pot

Stay strong

Russ

Well done Russ! Proud of you mate,

Much love

b

xx

Cheers b. Felt much easier than I imagined.

How's things with you at the mo?

Good at this end - went to the pub tonight and had no desire to play the fruit machines which i normally would.

they say its 21 days to form an effective habit so we're not far away! Love the forum though, feels like a good way of checking yourself everyday - must keep it up!

its a long road agead but one step at a time wins the race 🙂

stay strong,

much love

b

xx

Day 19&20

Good day again yesterday. Abstaining seems to be approaching the normal thing to do.

A mate of mine told me yesterday that he had lost £1400 on Saturday, and £1100 the week before, makes me sad now to think about it. He says that he will not chase his losses, we've all said that before.

£20 more to the pot

Stay strong

Russ

Well done Russ, a friend of mine was talking about a 50 loss at cheltenham - even that makes me sick!

hope the pot is going somewhere good!

much love

b

xc

Day 21

Getting a little bit worried that this is too easy at the moment! I can't remember on any previous attempt having so few urges to gamble. Maybe I have finally seen the light?

I think that I'm going to give the money in the pot to my parents, who have bailed me out so many times in the past(Not knowing the real root cause). That would give me a great feeling.

£10 in the pot

Stay strong

Russ

Day 22

A lot of spare time today, so I am going to do some gardening to keep my mind busy.

£10 in the pot

Stay strong

Russ

Well done Russ, in chasing you!

Much love

b

xx

Day 23

Cheers b, can't work out if it's getting easier or harder today tbh. I think that I am in control but haven't got a lot of spare cash. Due some payments in shortly and am sure that's when the real hard work will start.

£10 in the pot

Stay strong

Russ

Same here Russ i had my consolidation loan come through and i'm ashamed to say the thought of using the funds for one last win went through my head - not consciously and dismissed as quickly as it came but a reminder that it's not gone yet and we all need to stay strong. Off to the counsellor on Saturday so will share with her and keep posting as much as i can it definitely helps.

Stay strong buddy, you are doing this - get the payments out or in a safe place asap!

Much love

b

xx

Day 24

I've always got this misguided concept that I never have as much money when I'm not gambling, than when I am.

I have got to find something to occupy my time with in the day that preferably earns a bit of money. What I do just about earns me a living but it is not enough and I need to add something to it that can be done from home.

Anyway £10 in the pot and on to tomorrow.

B hope your session goes well tomorrow,

Stay strong

Russ

Hey Russ,

i recognise that feeling, that feeling of wanting more, its part of our disposition and gambling 'pops' up from nowhere like a sneaky viper. Get that thought on paper now and get it out of your head, as soon as you can write all of the reasons that it is harmful!

Can you get outside or do something that helps your personal relationships? When we get those insecure feelings is when we need them most.

let me know how you get on and stay strong for yourself,

much love

b

xx

Days 25-27

No problems over the weekend, kept busy.

New challenge starts today.I'm running in a 24hr charity event in June and am starting serious training today. Need to lose 1.5 stone before then so will record my efforts on here.

Day 1, 13 st 12lbs

£30 in the pot

Stay strong

Russ